The High Prevalence of Esophageal and Gastric Cancers in Eastern Turkey

Abstract

Background/Aims: Gastrointestinal cancers (G.I Ca) are important causes of mortality in Eastern Turkey. We purposed to reveal the epidemiological characteristics and the regional risk factors of the upper G.I (esophageal and gastric) cancers. Materials and Methods: 203 G.I Ca patients were diagnosed in our Gastroenterology Department with endoscopic, radiological and histopathological methods in two and half years. Their age, sex, nutritional habits and the histopathologic types of cancers were determined. Results: Esophageal and gastric cancers were ninety percent (183/203) of all the G.I Ca. Gastric and esophageal cancers were ninety percent (90%) of all these GI cancers. Both of cancer groups have been generally diagnosed after fifty years of age, and gastric Ca was twice frequent in males, whereas esophageal Ca was one and half times frequent in females. Drinking hot tea and family history of cancer were significant in the esophageal Ca group, although cigarette smoking was not significantly different in both cancer groups than the control group. Daily dietary habits were generally consumption of hot, salted, fatty, smoked and fried foods (meat, cereals etc.) without sufficient intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Histopathologically, ninety percent (90%) of esophageal Ca were epidermoid carcinoma and ten percent (10%) were adencarcinoma whereas all gastric Ca were adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: There are many carcinogen risk factors including mainly dietary and ecological factors such as stagnant ditch water, animal manure and peat in rural areas and volcanic soil properties in the Van region.